While anytime is a great time to take pictures, to get the best shots in autumn, you should strive to get portraits of your family during the “magic hour”. This refers to the hour after sunrise and/or the hour just before sunset. Surely there will be great opportunities, throughout the day, for good lighting, but shooting at these times can almost guarantee some of the best natural lighting for your subjects.

Outside photography in autumn isn’t the only option.

Don’t forget there are costumes and fun-times to capture at Halloween. Before the make-up wears off or the costume get accidentally ripped, try getting some candid shots of your kids before they leave to go Trick-or-Treating.

There will also be chances for some great captures, with relationships and memories made, at your family’s Thanksgiving gathering. These are wonderful times to capture through photography for posterity’s sake.

Some Tips for Stunning Fall Time Fun Photos:

• Pay attention to the time of day, to achieve the best lighting. Remember that there is something photographers like to call the “magic hour” which is the hour after sunrise and the hour right before sunset. Shooting outside during these times will produce a wonderful natural lighting for your subject.

• A wide angle shot, including the changing leaves, would be wonderful, but remember to get in closer, too. After all, your baby or children are the main focus of your photography.

• Don’t just set up your children and snap; move around and capture a variety of angles (i.e. get down low, shoot down from up above)

• Take your time and shoot a lot. The perfect shot isn’t always achieved immediately. You should devote some time to getting the pictures you envision. And even if you don’t have a clear vision of what you want, getting out and simply photographing your subjects will yield something worthy. Sometimes a photographer’s favorite photo of his subject is something accidentally shot.

• If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.

• Be sure to share your timeless memories with the whole family. A precious photo book or photo cards are two great ideas that your loved ones will appreciate forever